Tag: electrified (Page 1 of 2)

Alpha Trains adds 12 new Stadler EURO9000 locomotives to fleet

October 28, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Alpha Trains and Stadler Rail AG (Swiss: SRAIL) have signed a contract for the purchase of 12 EURO9000 locomotives. This is the first order of this latest generation of six-axle hybrid multi-system locomotives by Alpha Trains. Scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026, these state-of-the-art locomotives will be built at Stadler’s factory in Valencia, Spain.

The project is funded with a total of 15 million Euros by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) as part of the BMDV’s rail funding guideline. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ).

The multisystem electric EURO9000 locomotives are also equipped with diesel power units. They enable rail freight operations on AC and DC electrified lines and on non-electrified track sections, even on international routes with mixed traffic. With their advanced traction capabilities and their high-performance, they are ideal for a wide range of freight services and perfectly complement Alpha Trains’ large and diverse portfolio. By investing in efficient and innovative alternative propulsion vehicles, Alpha Trains is helping to reduce diesel consumption and thus improves the sustainability of rail freight.

Maersk launches rail offering from Barcelona, Spain to Southern France

October 8, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Barcelona, Spain – AP Moeller-Maersk AS (OTC: AMKBY) is launching a new rail product from the Port of Barcelona to Southern France especially designed to cut transit times of ocean cargo destined to the areas Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lyon by using Barcelona as an alternative gateway. Starting early November there will be three weekly direct block trains between Barcelona and Toulouse as well as one weekly connection between Barcelona and Lyon. Via Toulouse the solution also connects cargo to Bordeaux seamlessly by using a partner network. Furthermore, it is intended to extend the connectivity on the Spanish side by rail to the areas of Tarragona and Zaragoza.

This new offering can shorten transit times for import and export cargo in the areas Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lyon by up to 12 days (7 days on average) compared to traditional routings via French or North European ports. Thanks to shorter transport distances and the utilisation of electrified trains it can also be a more environmentally friendly routing. The block trains can also be booked for intra-continental cargo between Spain and France.

Maersk is operating this new end to end service via its own company APM Spain Railways and cooperates for the trains with the partners Captrain and Naviland.

Thanks to brand new interoperable locomotives, the block trains neither have to stop to change the locomotive or replace wheel-sets at the Spanish-French border for seamless operations and best-in-class reliability.

Alstom to present Italy’s first hydrogen powered train at EXPO Ferroviaria 2023

October 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

28 September 2023 – Alstom SA (Paris: ALSO), global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, will be present at EXPO Ferroviaria 2023, the exclusive B2B exhibition in Italy dedicated to the railway industry, taking place from 3rd to 5th of October 2023 at Fiera Milano Rho. Throughout the event, Alstom will showcase a wide range of solutions and technologies to consolidate its position as a leader in smart and sustainable mobility.

At 12:45 p.m on October 3rd, during the event’s opening day, Alstom and FNM will hold an official ceremony attended by key institutions, customers and partners. During this event, both companies will together unveil the hydrogen-powered Coradia Stream, a hydrogen train with zero direct carbon emissions equipped with fuel cells. This train is set to enter commercial service in Valcamonica, running along the non-electrified Brescia-Iseo-Edolo line operated by Ferrovienord and Trenord. This marks the train’s debut appearance in Italy.

Additionally, on the event’s first day, at 3 p.m., visitors can join Alstom and Infra.to at the Alstom booth n°E48 located in the EXPO Ferroviaria venue, for the official presentation of the new Metropolis train for Line 1 of the Turin Metro. This presentation will also showcase the state-of-the-art Urbalis driverless radio signalling system.

Stadler wins a contract for green battery powered rail transport in Austria

July 22, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Austrian Federal Railways (OBB) has awarded Stadler (Swiss: SRAIL) a framework agreement for up to 120 battery- powered trains. The FLIRT Akku vehicles are designed to replace the current diesel fleet and will enable sustainable operation on lines that are only partially electrified. The signing of the framework agreement and the initial order for 16 FLIRT battery is expected to take place in autumn 2023. This contract and the recent successes in the USA, Germany and Italy once again confirm Stadler’s leading position in battery and hydrogen green propulsion technology.

The new trains are FLIRT Akku vehicles – the battery-powered version of Stadler’s best-selling FLIRT model, which has already sold over 2,500 units worldwide. They are intended for use in the eastern region in Austria, where they will replace the current diesel fleet. The FLIRT Akku model allows sustainable rail operation on non-electrified line sections by charging the traction batteries while travelling under an overhead contact line.

Rail transport is the most sustainable mobility solution of all. Shifting passenger and freight transport to rail therefore plays a central role in combating climate change. However, the rail networks in many countries are only partially electrified or not electrified at all – as is the case in Austria. Stadler has consistently expanded its alternative propulsion portfolio in recent years and is currently assisting rail operators worldwide with the decarbonisation of rail transport. Depending on the area of application, Stadler offers its customers tailor-made solutions with battery, hydrogen or even hybrid propulsion.

Israel Railways Issues Notice to Proceed for Supply of 36 Alstom Traxx locomotives

November 9, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

9 November 2021 – Israel Railways (ISR) has issued a notice to proceed for the supply of additional 36 Traxx locomotives from Alstom (OTC: ALSMY) as part of its framework agreement in 2015 for the supply of 63 electric Traxx and additional 74 double-deck coaches in 2019.

In September 2015, ISR ordered 62 Traxx 160 km/h P160 AC3 locomotives. The contract also included an option for additional 32 units.

The 36 locomotives will be delivered between April 2023 to October 2024, at a beat rate of two or three locomotives each month and will include unique features and advanced safety features. To date, Alstom concluding the delivery of 27 locomotives to ISR. The delivered locomotives are serving ISR growing electrified network, the locomotives maintained by ISR at the Lod depot with warranty services support by Alstom’s Product Introduction teams.

The locomotives are powered with 6,000 kW traction suited for ISR electric network of 25kV 50 H. The Traxx electric-locomotive hauled ISR Twindexx Vario red double-deck coaches delivered by Alstom. More than 500 of these double-deck cars are successfully in service in Israel since 2002, providing safe, reliable and comfortable journey to all passengers in Israel.

More than 2,300 Traxx locomotives have been sold around the world in the last 20 years. They are authorized to operate in 20 countries around the world and drive a cumulative total annual mileage of 300 million km.

Alstom has been contributing to the development of railway systems in Israel for more than 30 years, and everyday hundreds of thousands of Israelis enjoy its products, services, and green and sustainable mobility solutions. The company operates in 6 sites in Israel: the headquarters in Tel-Aviv, a retrofit site and Fleet Maintenance site in Haifa, a vehicle production site in Dimona and a Signaling project in Tel-Aviv and Be’er-Sheva. Alstom retains over 250 employees in Israel and is involved in 8 advanced infrastructure projects, for which it provides passenger coaches and electric locomotives, signaling and integration systems and maintenance services.

Moving Egypt, A Modern Rail System That Will Transform Everyday Life

November 1, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Siemens (OTC: SIEGY) Mobility unit will install a comprehensive rail system that will feature the first ever high-speed, electrified main and freight rail line that will transform transportation in Egypt. The initial 660 km line will connect the port cities of Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea to Marsa Matrouh and Alexandria on the Mediterranean and will provide efficient, safe, and affordable transportation for all Egyptians, as well as goods across the country. The Egyptian government has an ambitious plan to invest heavily in a reliable and sustainable 1800 km state-of-the-art rail network that will establish Egypt as a regional leader for transportation and provide an additional boost to the economy.

The 660 km line connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean will create a Suez Canal type of link on the tracks. The connection will transport up to 30 million people per year and save up to 50 percent travel time. The electrified line will cut carbon emissions by 70%, in comparison to the current car and bus transportation. Siemens Mobility will deliver its Velaro high-speed trains, Desiro High Capacity regional train sets, and Vectron freight locomotives.

KiwiRail Announces New Auckland Southern Station Locations

February 12, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

KiwiRail and the Supporting Growth Alliance (Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi) have today confirmed their proposed sites for three new stations in southern Auckland and will now begin more detailed consultation with stakeholders about their development.

Over the next 30 years, an extra 120,000 people are expected to live in the area, which will also have 40,000 new houses and 38,000 new jobs. The development of the new stations and their associated facilities will be staged over time to coincide with demands from developments feeding each location.

KiwiRail has been given funding through the Government’s NZ Upgrade Programme for the first phase of development.

The locations for the new stations are designed to maximise connections with future town centres, new housing, and other public transport routes.

The aim is ensure the wider area has a robust public transport system to enable long-term housing and business growth. Other factors considered included the existing railway track alignment, the distance between stations, and environmental and ecological features.

The fully developed stations will have a bus interchange and Park & Ride facilities along with other infrastructure. We are working to confirm the exact footprint which will be needed for the associated facilities for the fully developed stations and will then begin the process of protecting the land.

Waka Kotahi National Manager System Design Robyn Elston says: “We are focusing on how longer-term road and rail projects can give people more connected public transport choices and help them move around safely and easily. We’re looking forward to talking to communities about how to make these projects happen.”

The planned railway stations are part of the $2.39 billion of transport improvements in southern Auckland that Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail are delivering as part of the Government’s New Zealand Upgrade Programme.

Other improvements will include SH1 Papakura to Drury South, Mill Road and Papakura to Pukekohe rail electrification. They are part of a longer term transport network being investigated and delivered to support growth in south Auckland.

Public information sessions on the rail developments in Southern Auckland are being held in Drury on February 18th and Pukekohe on February 20th.

The proposed locations for the three stations are:

Drury Central will be located on the existing rail line south of Waihoehoe Road, between Flanagan and Great South Roads.

Drury West will be located on the existing rail line, about 450 m south of the existing intersection of SH22 / Karaka Road and Jesmond Road.

Paerata will be located on the existing rail line, adjacent to the planned eastern extent of the Paerata Rise development.

Talgo Begins Rail Test for Very High-Speed Avril Train

February 6, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

The first unit of the very high-speed train Talgo Avril began its first rail tests this week, a decisive step in the technical homologation, prior to its commercial circulation by Spanish operator Renfe. This is the final phase in the manufacturing process of 30 units of the Talgo Avril, which has a passenger capacity of up to 581 seats.

The rail tests are aimed at checking the dynamic behaviour of all the elements of the train, and in particular the running gear systems, under progressively more complex operating conditions and up to the speed required for technical homologation of over 360 km/h. Its maximum commercial speed will be 330 km/h.

The homologation tests are planned to be carried out for several weeks on the Madrid-Galicia high-speed rail line, although they could be extended to other parts of the railway network in Spain at a later stage.

Lighter, more sustainable and accessible

Talgo Avril is Talgo’s most advanced very high-speed train, which will become a benchmark of quality in the very high-speed rail segment. Thanks to their high capacity and light overall weight, the Avril trains acquired by Spanish operator Renfe minimise energy consumption and multiply efficiency. This allows them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and further enhance the position of rail as the most sustainable means of transport.

One of the outstanding features of this latest generation train is that its composition of 12 passenger carriages and 200 metres long are located on a single deck and at the station platform level, allowing passengers to access the train and move around inside it without steps or ramps. Talgo’s unique accessibility not only facilitates access for people with reduced mobility, but also offers an easy journey for all passengers, from parents with prams to passengers with bulky luggage or bicycles.

New routes, new markets

Talgo Avril is part of a highly flexible technological platform that allows each delivery to be adapted to the increasingly complex needs of the European rail market. In this particular contract, the 30 trains supplied are divided into different blocks according to their internal commercial configuration, their automatic variable-gauge system (Iberian and international), and their equipment to be operated north of the Pyrenees. Thanks to these capacities, Talgo Avril will be able to be used on practically the entire Iberian electrified rail network, bringing even closer those destinations to which the new high-performance rail network has not yet been extended, as well as in international relations between Spain and France.

The interoperability of Talgo trains is one of their most distinctive features, and this has led them to be used on commercial routes throughout Europe: France, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Belarus and Poland. The Spanish manufacturer has also recently been awarded new contracts to supply trains to the European operator Deutsche Bahn, which will connect Berlin (Germany) with Amsterdam (Netherlands) and to the Danish company DSB, to link Copenhagen (Denmark) with the German port of Hamburg.

Hitachi Rail Successfully Tests First Battery-Powered Tram

February 2, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Battery-powered tram offers major benefits of requiring no overhead wires or other electrified infrastructure – saving on costs and visual impact

On-board batteries allow energy to be additionally recovered during breaking

Trial in Florence aims to allow mobility firm to offer battery-trams globally

Tram adds to the growing list of battery products being developed as Hitachi puts decarbonisation and sustainability at the heart of its global strategy

Hitachi Rail has successfully tested its first battery-powered tram in Florence – an important milestone towards expanding the firm’s offer to market the vehicles across the world.

While traditional tram lines require electrified infrastructure – usually overhead wires supported by poles or pylons – that are expensive to install and visually unattractive. Battery trams offer the opportunity to run high capacity public transport through city centres, while saving millions on installing wires and reducing the visual impact on beautiful historic streets, like Florence.

The trial involves installing battery packs on an existing Hitachi-built Sirio tram, which covered a section of the line under battery power. The innovation allows power to be returned to the batteries when the train breaks, reducing the overall amount of energy consumed and protecting the environment.

This news is the latest in a number of announcements from the global mobility firm as expands its sustainability credentials and its zero-carbon offer to its customers around the world. Hitachi recently announced the trial of a battery train in the UK and delivery of hybrid trains in Italy, having built one of the world’s first battery powered train fleets that operates in Japan.

Hitachi has a rich heritage of building trams and tramways in Europe and in Asia, and is involved in new tram and metro infrastructure projects in the Americas and in the UK.

Andrea Pepi, Head of Sales and Projects Italy, Hitachi Rail said: “Our aim is to use our technology and our work to help build a sustainable society and contribute to the well-being of people around the world by improving their quality of life.”

“This is a key milestone as we pioneer this new technology that allow us to work with our customers to reduce infrastructure costs while still offering environmentally-friendly public transport. We hope this successful trial in Italy creates new opportunities for us across the world.”

The Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella said: “We are happy that Hitachi Rail has chosen the tramway in Florence to test this innovation. Battery-powered trams can revolutionize this type of service within cities. Public transport, especially in historic centers, will have to be less impactful and increasingly sustainable. This marks another significant step forward for the tramways in Florence.”

Talgo Announces Hydrogen Train Will Be Ready In 2023

December 31, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Talgo has announced the timetable for the manufacture and launch of its hydrogen train, a green, innovative and efficient alternative to replacing diesel engines, which will be ready in 2023. The train will be named Talgo Vittal-One, as a reference to the place of the hydrogen in the periodic table, the first one. The details were presented during the event “Renewable hydrogen: an opportunity for Spain”, organised by the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic challenge.

The first phase of the validation tests of the hydrogen technology will be conducted in 2021. After the validation process, the hydrogen technology will be installed in the new train during a second manufacturing phase that will take place between 2021 and 2023.

The company’s CEO, José María Oriol, stated during his presentation: “Green hydrogen is no longer the future, it is a reality. The implementation of hydrogen trains, such as the one Talgo is developing, will improve mobility in our country and have a positive impact on the environment. It will allow us to make the most of the non-electrified Spanish railways while reducing our carbon footprint”.

This system is configured as a modular solution that can be installed on all types of trains, as well as in upgrades from diesel to hydrogen. However, it has been specifically designed for the Vittal platform for Commuter and Regional trains, which Talgo has presented in the bidding process for various tenders in Spain and other countries.

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